Band Staff

The Ohio State University Marching & Athletic Bands have some of the best trained and most talented leaders in the country. Choose a staff section from below to learn more about them.

Russell C. Mikkelson

Director of Bands

Russell C. Mikkelson serves as director of University Bands and professor of conducting at The Ohio State University, where he conducts the Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, guides the graduate wind conducting program, and oversees all aspects of the university’s band program.

Under his direction, the OSU Wind Symphony performed at the 2003 College Band Directors National Association Convention and the 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2013 Ohio Music Education Association Conventions. The band also performed in Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2013 and has recorded five CDs under Mikkelson’s leadership. A strong advocate for the creation of new works, Mikkelson serves on the Big Ten Band Directors Association Commissioning Panel, and has instituted a program of regular commissioning projects at Ohio State, with involvement in over a dozen such projects in the past seven years.

Mikkelson is a past president of The Big Ten Band Directors Association, a member of the College Band Directors National Association, NAfME, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Beta Mu, and has been elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association. He has also been the recipient of The Ohio State University School of Music’s Distinguished Scholar Award.

Scott A. Jones

Associate Director of Bands

Scott A. Jones is associate professor of music and associate director of bands in the School of Music at The Ohio State University. In addition to conducting The OSU Symphonic Band, he also leads the undergraduate conducting curriculum. Prior to joining the faculty at Ohio State, Jones served as director of bands at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He also garnered 15 years of teaching experience in the public schools of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Asheville, Ohio.

A native of Fairfax, Virginia, Jones received his undergraduate degree in music education from The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in music education from the Vander Cook College of Music (Chicago), and a PhD in music from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis).

Jones was named Music Educator of the Year by the Minnesota Music Educators Association and was one of three school band conductors from the United States selected to participate in the National Band Association International Conducting Symposium in Rome, Italy. His guest engagements have included all-state bands and honor bands, and international engagements throughout Asia. His professional affiliations include The National Association for Music Education, Ohio Music Education Association, Wisconsin Music Educators Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Iowa Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu.

Dr. Christopher Hoch

Associate Director of Marching and Athletic Bands

A member of the OSUMB from 1995-1999, Dr. Hoch received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and music education in 2000. He served on the band’s directing staff from 2000-2002 as a Graduate Assistant Director and earned master’s degrees in instrumental conducting and music education in 2002. Dr. Hoch returned to the OSUMB as a Graduate Assistant Director in 2009 and received his Ph.D. in music education in 2012.

In the interim, Dr. Hoch served as Director of Bands for the Delaware City Schools in Delaware, Ohio. As principle conductor of the Rutherford B. Hayes High School bands, he taught the high school concert band, marching band, pep bands, and jazz band, and oversaw all aspects of the high school band program. Dr. Hoch currently serves as the Associate Director of The Ohio State University Marching and Athletic Bands and serves the School of Music by supervising student teachers, teaching independent studies in show design and drill writing, and co-teaching a course in marching band techniques.

Dr. Hoch also serves as Artistic Director and Principle Conductor of the Scioto Valley Brass and Percussion Company and Co-director of The Ohio State University Alumni Band. Locally, he is active as a trombone player, arranger, and clinician.

He currently lives in Powell, Ohio, with his wife, Linda, and children, Benjamin and Margaret.

Lisa Galvin

Associate Director

Lisa Galvin, a former member of The OSUMB, holds two degrees from The Ohio State University School of Music (1984, 2006) and has taught instrumental music in the Hilliard and Reynoldsburg City School Districts for the past 26 years. Her bands have performed for the National Adjudicators Invitational on three different occasions and for local and state professional conferences.

Additionally, Mrs. Galvin serves as an adjunct lecturer in Music Technology at The Ohio State University and Capital University. Lisa has had numerous arrangements performed by area high school and college bands, and her music can be heard on recordings by The Brass Band of Columbus and The Ohio State University Marching Band. She has been honored with membership in the American School Band Director’s Association and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity. She was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda National Collegiate Music Honor Society in 2006.

Lisa also maintains an active performance schedule as Solo Hornist with The Brass Band of Columbus, and is proud to be the first woman to join the arranging staff for The Ohio State University Marching Band.

Michael Smith

Assistant Director of Marching and Athletic Bands

Mike has been a music educator for more than 30 years. He has played drums in numerous jazz, soul, rock, country, and polka bands; he has performed as a jazz, rock, and classical vocalist; he has been an orchestral percussionist; and he has conducted in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.

Mike has been a music educator for 30 years, with experiences teaching at every level from kindergarten through university.

Mike developed the history of rock and roll curriculum that is now being utilized in the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colorado, and he specializes in working with school districts looking to integrate music and non-music curricula.

Richard Blatti

Director, School of Music

Following a year as Interim Director, Professor Richard Blatti was named Director of The Ohio State University School of Music on July 1, 2011. He serves as chief executive and academic officer for an internationally recognized faculty and a School ranked 11th among public colleges and universities, after having taught for 37 years – 32 at the collegiate level with the last 22 at Ohio State. Prior to this appointment, he was area head of Conducting and Ensembles, supervising all aspects of the conducting curricula and the administration of all university ensembles. Throughout his Ohio State tenure, Professor Blatti has personally taught conducting at all levels, and the ensembles under his direction have performed at national conferences, recorded for international recording labels, and have toured extensively.

For his interpretation of their works, Blatti has earned the praise of many composers, including Gunther Schuller, Warren Benson, Michael Daugherty, Augusta Read Thomas, Jennifer Higdon, Eric Whitacre, Steven Bryant, David Gillingham, Carter Pann, Frank Ticheli, John Mackey, Daniel Bukvich, and Roger Cichy. Professor Blatti has twice received The Ohio State University School of Music Distinguished Teaching Award, and in 2007 he was presented with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching by the President of the University. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and on the Executive Board of the OSU Academy of Teaching.

As guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator, Blatti has been invited to forty states, five Canadian provinces, and six other countries, including the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Australia, and China. Prior to his appointment at Ohio State, Professor Blatti was Director of Instrumental Music at Albion College in Michigan for ten years, where he was twice selected the Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, and was awarded two grants in support of his research on rehearsal techniques and conducting pedagogy. Blatti also served as Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.

A student of legendary conductor John Paynter, Blatti earned both the Bachelor of Music Education and the Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University and has done post-graduate work in conducting at Michigan State University. He serves as a Director of the John P. Paynter Foundation, as Conductor Laureate of the Heisey Wind Ensemble, and is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, CBDNA, MENC, OMEA, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, Omicron Delta Kappa, Tau Beta Sigma and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is in constant demand as a guest conductor, clinician, author, and lecturer.

Dr. Paul Droste

Director Emeritus

Dr. Paul E. Droste was the director of The Ohio State University Marching Band from 1970 to 1983. Prior to becoming the director, Droste was a four year member of M-row, received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio State, earned a Master’s degree at Eastman School of Music, and a Doctorate degree from the University of Arizona.
During his time as director, Dr. Droste added full rows of flugelhorns and alto horns to the band, facilitated the inclusion of women in the band, as well as started many other innovations. After his tenure as director, Dr. Droste went on to found the Brass Band of Columbus and serve as Educational Director for 10 years at Colonial Music. Dr. Droste lives with his wife Ann and continues to stay active in the OSU Alumni Band, serving as a conductor.

Dr. Jon R. Woods

Director Emeritus

Dr. Jon R. Woods was the head director of The Ohio State University Marching Band from 1984-2011. Prior to being the head director of the band, Dr. Woods served as associate director for 10 years, under Dr. Paul Droste. Woods received his Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his Master’s from Penn State University, and his Doctorate from the University of Michigan. Under Woods’ direction, The OSUMB became the third recipient of the prestigious Sudler Trophy in 1984. He also introduced many innovations, such as computer generated charting of shows, the replacement of Eb horns with mellophones, and the move into the Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Band Center. While Woods retired after 38 years with The Ohio State University Marching Band, he is still active in the alumni band and continues to attend most band functions. He currently lives in Worthington with his wife, Donna.

Stewart Kitchen

Drum Major Instructor

Stewart is from Kenton, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Community Leadership. While at OSU he served as Drum Major of The Ohio State University Marching Band for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In 2007, he was also selected by the band to receive the Most Inspirational Bandsmen Award. Having a strong passion for the art of baton and mace, he has provided private mace and baton instruction to drum majors of all styles and is the Lead Mace and Baton Instructor for the Bands of America National Drum Major Institute.

Now residing in Columbus, Ohio, Stewart works at ComResource, presents at and facilitates leadership workshops and events, and performs throughout the country as the Drum Major of the Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps.

Mark Reynolds

Percussion Instructor

Mark has been working as a teacher, arranger, and within the music industry for the past 25 years. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, he studied music education at The Ohio State University and has worked with some of the top High Schools and Universities in the country. Mark has spent the last 25 years writing, arranging, and consulting for some of the finest programs in the country including, Dublin Coffman, Westerville North, Westerville South, Grove City, Hilliard Darby, Hilliard Davidson, Hilliard Bradley, Olentangy Liberty, Franklin Heights, Central Crossing, Thomas Worthington, Worthington Kilbourne, Springboro, Long Beach, Harrison Central, Reeths Puffer, Mississippi Gulf coast Community College and Tyler Jr. College in Tyler, Texas.

Mark has also arranged and taught for top WGI groups such as RhythmX, Redline,Thomas Worthington, Hilliard Bradley, Capital Regiment, Tyler Jr. College and other fine programs across the country. Mark moved his family to Houston, Texas in 2005 to start his music industry career as Product Manager for the Pro-Mark Corporation.

A short stay in Texas, Mark moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in 2006 to accept a position as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for DEG Music Inc. and Dynasty Brass and Percussion products. Mark spent 7 years with the company and is now back home in Columbus, Ohio to service the music education community as a Sales Representative for Rettig Music Inc.

Sean DeLong

Matthew King

Bryen Warfield

David Manderscheid

Executive Dean and Vice Provost, College of Arts and Sciences

David Manderscheid became Executive Dean and Vice Provost of the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University on July 1st, 2013.

Prior to his appointment, Manderscheid was the dean of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Arts and Sciences, as well as a professor of mathematics.
Manderscheid has served as the chief academic officer of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 2007, focusing on interdisciplinary research, improving undergraduate education and increasing diversity.

He has also won several teaching awards for mathematics and has been published for his work in representation theory with applications to number theory. Manderscheid has served as principal investigator on several grants from the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency.

Manderscheid has held appointments at University of Iowa, University of Utah, Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley and the University of Paris as well.

Mark Shanda

Divisional Dean, Arts and Humanities

Professor Mark Shanda was appointed divisional dean of arts and humanities on February 1, 2011 following five years of service as chair of the Department of Theatre. He has been a faculty member of Ohio State’s Department of Theatre for 25 years.

Shanda grew up in Perry, Iowa. His uncle was an attorney and television shows like Matlock and Perry Mason piqued Shanda’s interest in the law. His career path changed in high school, when he was offered the chance to design and build the stage props for a play his freshman year.

As a senior in high school, he made his last appearance as an onstage performer, that of a talking fireplace, and he has been working behind the scenes ever since. He was hooked and theatre (design and production) became his passion.

Shanda went on to earn a BA in speech/theatre and political science from Iowa State University and an MFA in theatre technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Shanda served as the resident technical director in the Department of Theatre as well as teaching courses in drafting, technical direction, sound, theatre technology, properties, and metals. He co-authored Drafting for the Theatre, a theatre technology textbook in use by virtually all major theatre programs in the country and is a long-time contributor to Theatre Design and Technology magazine.

When he assumed chair of the Department of Theatre, Shanda exchanged the role of a daily, hands-on decision-maker for that of a long-range planner and visionary, which suited him just fine.

As divisional dean of arts and humanities, Shanda will be juggling the interests and demands of over 6,000 students, 500+ faculty, and a large staff in 21 departments.

Mark Mangia

Associate Director of Development

Biography coming soon!

Rick Shaffer

Business Operations Manager

Rick Shaffer is the business operations manager for the OSU Marching and Athletic Bands. He earned his master’s degree in public policy and management from the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. Rick has been with Ohio State for 22 years and has served in various business management positions in other university departments, including the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab; the College of Optometry; and the College of Nursing. Shaffer resides in Pickerington, Ohio with his teenage daughter, Mikayla.

John Brennan

Music Arranger

John Brennan began arranging music for The OSUMB in 2010. John was a five year member of The OSUMB from 2003-2007 and began arranging for the Spring Athletic Band’s Spring Football game performances in 2006. John is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association and is proud to be the newest member of the OSUMB arranging staff.

Lisa Galvin

Music Arranger

Lisa Galvin, a former member of The OSUMB, holds two degrees from The Ohio State University School of Music (1984, 2006) and has taught instrumental music in the Hilliard and Reynoldsburg City School Districts for the past 26 years. Her bands have performed for the National Adjudicators Invitational on three different occasions and for local and state professional conferences.

Additionally, Mrs. Galvin serves as an adjunct lecturer in Music Technology at The Ohio State University and Capital University. Lisa has had numerous arrangements performed by area high school and college bands, and her music can be heard on recordings by The Brass Band of Columbus and The Ohio State University Marching Band. She has been honored with membership in the American School Band Director’s Association and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity. She was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda National Collegiate Music Honor Society in 2006.

Lisa also maintains an active performance schedule as Solo Hornist with The Brass Band of Columbus, and is proud to be the first woman to join the arranging staff for The Ohio State University Marching Band.

Richard Heine

Music Arranger Emeritus

Richard Heine had composed and arranged music for The Ohio State University Marching Band since his student days during the 1930’s. More than any other person, he was responsible for the unique sound of this all brass Marching Band. In addition to many original compositions, Mr. Heine arranged most of the Ohio State school songs (Buckeye Battle Cry, Fight The Team Across The Field, I Want To Go Back To Ohio State, Chimes & Carmen Ohio, Beautiful Ohio, Le Regiment, and others) and those arrangements are still in use by the band today. Mr. Heine passed away in October 2007.

SGM (ret) Ken McCoy

Music Arranger

Ken McCoy began arranging music for The OSUMB in 1995, during the first of his two years of service as the band’s Graduate Assistant Director. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of North Texas and his Masters from Ohio State. Ken retired from the U.S. Army as Chief Arranger for the United States Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus in Washington, D.C. Like Dick Heine, Ken is a native of Greenville, Ohio. His arrangments have been performed in all fifty states and around the world.

Dr. Ted McDaniel

Music Arranger

Ted McDaniel has been a member of the arranging staff of The OSUMB since 1981. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and his Masters and Ph.D. are from the University of Iowa. He was band director at Morehouse College and Head of the Music Department at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro before coming to The Ohio State University. He has been very active as a jazz composer, performer, clinician, and arranger. Currently, Dr. McDaniel is Professor of Afro-American Music, a joint position in the School of Music and the Department of Black Studies. He is also Director of the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Studies at Ohio State, as well as Chairman of the Black Studies Department.

Steve Pfaffman

Music Arranger

Steve Pfaffman, a native of Wintersville, Ohio, has been producing arrangements for The OSUMB since serving as the band’s Graduate Assistant Director in 1982. He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from The Ohio State University School of Music. Steve is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Progress Village School of the Arts in Tampa, Florida. Steve was also member of The OSUMB’s percussion section from 1972 to 1975.

James Swearingen

Music Arranger

Jim Swearingen has been a member of the arranging staff of The OSUMB since 1975. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Bowling Green State University and his Masters of Music Education from The Ohio State University. Mr. Swearingen is on the faculty at Capital University where his duties include teaching instrumental music education classes as well as supervising student teachers. Jim is one of the most prolific composers and arrangers of public school concert and marching band music today.

John Tatgenhorst

Music Arranger

John Tatgenhorst, a graduate of The Ohio State University School of Music, is a professional music composer/arranger and producer. He resides in Chicago where he is president of his own musical production company. He writes and arranges music for local and national radio and television commercials and for films. Over 500 arrangements and compositions of John’s are published by twelve publishing companies and his music is known worldwide.

Since 1964, John has written hundreds of arrangements and compositions for the OSU Marching Band that include the “Go Bucks” and other cheers and the official rock song of the State of Ohio, “Hang on Sloopy.” John recently produced the OSU Tailgate CDs and cassettes which are sold at campus and area gift shops and retail stores. The profits go to the OSU School of Music and OSU student scholarships.

Jane Carroll

Public Relations Manager

Jane Carroll helps manage media for TBDBITL, collaborating with reporters, producers and Ohio State colleagues to share the amazing stories of The Ohio State University Marching Band with fans all over the world.

Jane, who has been with Ohio State since 2003 and is a Media Relations staff member, was previously with The Ohio State University Foundation and served as the communications coordinator for The Knowlton School of Architecture in Ohio State’s College of Engineering.

Jane started her career with the United States Senate in the office of Senator John Glenn, going on to consecutively serve three senators in the Ohio Senate. She also spent time working in corporate communicatons. Jane graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University with a BA in English.

To contact Jane for media related requests/questions, please call her office at (614)-292-5220 or by email at carroll.296@osu.edu

David Carwile

Staff Assistant/Announcer

Dave Carwile is a familiar voice to OSUMB fans, announcing his first game in 1980 and becoming the primary announcer and scriptwriter in 1997. Dave has also served as the band’s videoboard designer since 1984 and in addition to announcing, also coordinates the non-field elements of game-day performances from the pressbox. He is currently the Administrator of Ohio Educational Television Stations, Inc. and serves as an Associate Director of WOSU Public Media on campus. A native of Worthington, Dave played percussion in The Ohio State University Marching Band from 1975 to 1979. He resides in Worthington with his wife Kathleen. His son James was also served five years in the OSUMB percussion section.

Wesley Clark

Announcer

Wesley Clark joined The Ohio State University Marching Band in 1999 as a member of the baritone section in H-Row. He spent five seasons with the OSUMB, including two as the Head Squad Leader of H-Row, and in 2003 and 2005 won the Most Inspirational Bandperson award. A native of Urbana, Ohio, Wesley currently works for the United States government and resides in northwest Columbus.

Ed Crockett

Field Photographer

Ed Crockett has served as The Ohio State University Marching Band’s field photographer since the 1977 season. Ed also fills in as announcer when necessary and is an advisor for the marching band’s web site. A native of the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville, Ed was a sousaphone player in the OSUMB from 1968 to 1970 and from 1972 to 1974. He served one season as student photographer and two seasons as assistant public address announcer before assuming his duties as photographer. He resides in Columbus with his wife, Karen, and his youngest son A.J.

Karen Crockett

Press Box Photographer

Karen Crockett joined husband Ed on the OSUMB photography team in 1979. Karen is a former member of The Ohio State University Marching Band serving as secretary and librarian from 1972 to 1977. A native of Medina, Ohio, Karen is adjunct faculty in Early Childhood Education at Columbus State Community College and resides in Columbus with husband Ed and youngest son A.J.

Victoria Ellwood

Arts and Sciences Communications Staff

Biography coming soon!

Tim Gerber

Announcer

Timothy Gerber, Professor of Music, has taught for 30 years as a member of the music education faculty in the OSU School of Music. He is co-author of the McGraw-Hill music appreciation text, Music! Its Role and Importance in Our Lives, and he has been honored with both the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Distinguished Scholar Award in the School of Music. As a former chair of the OSU Faculty Council, he currently serves as Secretary of the University Senate.

Ed Thompson

Audio Producer/Recording Engineer

Ed Thompson joined The Ohio State University Marching Band in 1999 as recording producer / engineer. A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Ed was a member of the 1974 – 1977 sousaphone section of The Ohio State University Marching Band. In 1987, Ed began a 24 year relationship as chief engineer for super virtuoso pianist Earl Wild. This collaborative effort brought forth over 100 recordings sold worldwide including a Grammy winning project in 1997 and additional Grammy nominations in 2002, and again in 2010.

In addition, Ed serves as broadcast and archival producer / engineer for The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, The Richmond Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and the Carpe Diem String Quartet. Ed is a 22 year member in good standing of the Recording Academy and has served on national committees at the Board of Governors’ request.

The Student Staff is comprised of non-performing band members whose job is to assist with the day-to-day, behind-the-scenes work of The Ohio State University Marching and Athletc Band. Student Staff members are considered full members of the bands and accompany the marching and athletic bands at all home games, concerts, and on trips to away games, bowl games, and other events.